Page 9 of Trigger

How the hell should I know, anyway? I’m not an expert on malebeauty.

“No one is as handsome as you,” Vic said, caressing my cheek.“You’re the most handsome detective in town.”

“I have to go,” I grumbled, disliking the subject of ourconversation. “See you tonight?”

“I would love to, darling, but I can’t. Abigail has tickets forthe opera, and I promised her I would go with her. Rain check?”

“Of course.”

“You’re the best.”

I kissed her cheek and stepped out of the car into the simmeringheat of late August.

Vic waved at me. “Bye, darling. Have a great day.”

“Thanks. You, too.”

A great day. What was that, anyway? I was catching criminals for aliving, so my days were mostly shitty. It was tough to watch this town lose itssoul, but not as tough as coming to work and seeing everyone sucking up to thatblue-eyed prick. And why were they all gathered around my desk?

“Are you kidding me?” Bruce said, choking with laughter. “Youreally said that?”

The person sitting in my chair chuckled, and the smooth baritonemade my skin crawl.

“I sure did.”

“Hell, yeah!” Adam exclaimed, fist-bumping him. “You’re my kind ofguy.”

Their exchange triggered my vomiting reflex as I crossed the room,nodding at Shelly, who gave me an apologetic smile. The others stepped to theside, clearing the way for me until my chair came into view and the man sittingin it. I gulped what tasted like stale air and left my gun holster on the desk,refusing to look at the man seated in my chair.

I was about to go and make myself some coffee when he suddenlystood up. And since we were approximately the same height, we found ourselveseye to eye, nose to nose, and chin to chin.Yeah… no.I almost turned toleave because he stoodtoo damn closeto me,but I remained whereI was out of sheer principle.Too close. Too hot. Too blue. No, not blue.Aquamarine? And what the fuck was that scent?The sensory overload wasmessing with my mind, but I would sooner die than back down. His intense blueeyes flicked to my mouth before meeting my gaze, followed by a lopsided grin.

“Hello again, partner.”

The room was so silent you could hear a pin drop while everyonestared at me, waiting for my inevitable blowout. I couldn’t even blame them. Itwas my thing. My curse.

I glanced at the piercing hole above his upper lip before meetingthat creepy blue gaze.

“You’re in my way,” I said, trying to sound cool, the opposite ofhow I felt.

He slapped his forehead as if he’d just remembered something.

“Right. Sorry. I was just trying out your chair.”

“What’s wrong with yours?”

He grinned. “Ah, but I like yours better.”

I could feel that red sensation creeping up on me, but the vastblue of his irises was successfully fighting it off.

“We were never properly introduced. I’m Tye.”

He extended his hand for a handshake, and I eyed it like apoisonous serpent before looking at him coolly.

“I’m Carter. Move out of my way.”

He didn’t seem unperturbed by my harsh words or my refusal toshake his hand.

“And what’s your first name, Carter?”

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